The meetup was a bit formal in the beginning when VFOSSA and OpenStack were introduced. The students seemed a bit nervous (although we could still see the exciting expression on their face) as OpenStack is completely a new term to them. But the Library Hall was heating up slowly when the discussion started; beers and breads are brought up to the table to keep the day-end brains running :-). People were eating and speaking elatedly. The atmosphere was more and more relaxing then.

During the event, the attendants had a chance to listen to Mr. Nguyen Hoang’s OpenStack Summit notes sent back from the States. Mr. Hoang is a senior architect with 30 years of expertise in providing solution to software and big system architecture in America. He attended the OpenStack Fall Summit (held in San Diego, USA last mid October) and the notes were about his experiences to share with others. We could see that the words from the heart of such an experienced expert greatly inspired all the attendants that night.

Warmly welcomed at the meeting was the presence of Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hoa, a senior consultant on IT solution with 38 years of experience in the IT field. He was a member of the famous team who built the first computer of Vietnam (and one of the very first few of the world) – the VT83 in 1983. He especially shared his lifetime experience to the people available at the meetup, especially to the students. As I recall he said that “This is a big opportunity for Vietnam. We shouldn’t miss this just like we have missed few other big opportunities. This is the “now or never” time for Vietnamese ICT community to get on board the “OpenStack ship” so that we are not left behind this global endeavour”.

Sincere thanks goes to Hanoi University of Industry for the great hospitalities provided.

And special thanks to our speakers:

– Mr. Nguyen Hong Quang, Chairman of Vietnam Free and Open Source Software Association (VFOSSA) for his introduction on VFOSSA and how VFOSSA will support OpenStack’s activities.

– Mr. Nguyen The Trung, Managing Director of DTT for his presentation on OpenStack, its opportunities for Vietnam and the development of Vietnam OpenStack Community in the long run.

As the result of our first meetup, more than 20 people have volunteered to join the Start-up team. We are now looking forward to re-structuring this team and getting things moving for OpenStack. One of our main objective is to start translating OpenStack manuals. For this, we really need help from OpenStack community. Any ideas, suggestions are welcomed and appreciated for an OpenStack starter like us.

Our next likely meetup to be held in Danang city next month. We will inform you all on our upcoming activities.

I will be back soon with updates with you guys on the OpenStack movement in Vietnam.